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OCCUPY! An Unfinished Uprising

OCCUPY! An Unfinished Uprising

Future Hindsight 425 Episodes Jul 23, 2026

This six-part narrative series from Future Hindsight explores the Occupy Wall Street movement of 2011, telling the story from the perspective of activists who camped out in a New York City park. It covers how the protest grew rapidly, felt chaotic and transcendent, and ended violently. The series argues that despite being labeled a failure, Occupy popularized the language of the '99%' and profoundly influenced American politics and activism.

Episodes

Episode 3: A Fork in the Road
Episode 3: A Fork in the Road Jul 23, 2026 43:27 When a march reaches the Brooklyn Bridge, a split-second decision changes everything. Hundreds of people face arrest – and deeper questions emerge about the power dynamics and strategy within the movement. How can they contain the chaos of an ever-growing, leaderless movement? And should Occupy work with politicians and celebrities, or remain fiercely independent? Want to dive deeper? Lis
Episode 2: Occupy Goes Viral
Episode 2: Occupy Goes Viral Jul 16, 2026 44:06 The encampment grows as anarchist organizers introduce radical new ways of making decisions and taking action. Armed with livestreams, smartphones, and social media, participants invite the world to watch—and join. Then, a shocking encounter with police is captured on camera, transforming a local protest into a national story overnight.Want to dive deeper? Listen to these episodes of Futu
Episode 1: The Invitation
Episode 1: The Invitation Jul 7, 2026 39:55 In 2011, a handful of skeptical New Yorkers answer a call to Occupy Wall Street. What they find feels less like a protest and more like a glimpse of a different world—one where people openly share stories of debt, hardship, and frustration. They start to build an anti-capitalist village in a tiny Manhattan park — under the watchful eyes of police.Want to dive deeper? Listen to these episo
Introducing Occupy! An Unfinished Uprising
Introducing Occupy! An Unfinished Uprising Jul 2, 2026 02:49 Occupy Wall Street is the story of the improbable becoming possible.In 2008, millions of people were devastated by an economic crash caused by Wall Street greed, but it wasn’t until 2011 that there was a mass response from the Left. A call to protest went out, and thousands of people responded. They raged against a system that was rigged against them and tried to create their own anti-cap
Democracy's Unfinished Promise: Alex Hertel-Fernandez
Democracy's Unfinished Promise: Alex Hertel-Fernandez Jun 25, 2026 40:51 We discuss the intersection of policymaking on economics and democracy, the harm of intense concentration of wealth, and the need for building durable civil society. Alex's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Join an organization in your community Be in community with other people Alex Hertel-Fernandez is a labor policy scholar and the Herbert H. Lehman Professor of Gover
Right-Wing Women Are Mobilized: Katie Gaddini
Right-Wing Women Are Mobilized: Katie Gaddini Jun 18, 2026 43:02 We discuss the enthusiasm for civic engagement by right-wing women, which translates to power and victory at the ballot box. Katie's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Research and know the issues on your ballot 2) Vote in local elections Katie Gaddini is a sociologist, visiting scholar at Stanford University, and the author of Esther's Army: The Christian Women Who Power
The Gerontocracy Problem: Samuel Moyn
The Gerontocracy Problem: Samuel Moyn Jun 11, 2026 43:26 We discuss the overlooked and insidious complications from gerontocracy in American democracy. Sam's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Think of democracy as a political form for transient human beings 2) Evangelize one of these ideas: age quotas, tax code reform, or campaign finance reform Samuel Moyn is the Kent Professor of Law and History at Yale University, the cohost
Activism vs. Majority Rule: Brian Adams
Activism vs. Majority Rule: Brian Adams Jun 4, 2026 41:47 We discuss the balance of influence between activists and the majority in local politics and how we can reinvigorate democracy at the local level. Brian's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Identify the problem you want to fix in your community 2) Develop an innovative solution and advocate for it Brian Adams is professor of political science at San Diego State University
Playing Offense for Democracy: Steve Phillips
Playing Offense for Democracy: Steve Phillips May 28, 2026 46:00 We discuss the case for SWAMP audits, how we can truly build a multiracial democracy, and why we're going to have to fight for it. Steve's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Find your Minimum Viable Community and engage 2) Do a SWAMP audit! Steve Phillips is the founder of Democracy in Color, a political media organization dedicated to race, politics, and the multicultural
The People's Document: Melissa Murray
The People's Document: Melissa Murray May 21, 2026 49:35 We discuss the hidden power inside the U.S. Constitution, what it was designed to protect against, and how it can fortify American democracy today. Melissa's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Commit to voting and follow through 2) Make your demands clear to your elected representatives Melissa Murray is the Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law at NYU School of La
Your Climate Superpower: Katharine Wilkinson
Your Climate Superpower: Katharine Wilkinson May 14, 2026 48:59 We discuss how each of us is a node of possibility for change in the climate crisis, taking us from overwhelm to participation. Katharine's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Keep telling the truth. 2) Join with others in the climate movement. Dr. Katharine Wilkinson is the host of the podcast A Matter of Degrees and the author of Climate Wayfinding: Healing Ourselves and
Unsticking Congress: Maya Kornberg
Unsticking Congress: Maya Kornberg May 7, 2026 47:51 We discuss the myriad of ways to fix Congress, ranging from campaign finance reform and age limits to town hall meetings and stopping violence against members of Congress. Maya's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Engage with your member of Congress! 2) Share what matters for you and demand your member to take action Maya Kornberg is senior research fellow at NYU Law's Bre

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